Feeder tap



E. P. SMITH Oct. 27, 1953 FEEDER TAP Filed Sept. 7, 1950 Nm( m M mm. WQm 5 WM. mmm; I D k U @E WN AN MN NW mv m.\

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 27, 1953 FEEDER TAP Edward P. Smith, The OhioBrass Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Company, Mansfield,

Ohio, a

corporation of New Jersey Application September 7, 1950, Serial N o.-183,603

13 Claims.

This invention relates to feeder taps whereby a stranded cable may beelectrically connected to a conductor, in particular' a trolley wireconnected to a source of power, and finds its principal use in electredmines.

Prior feeder taps have been provided with casings which were to engageat one end with an insulating cap and vents were provided in the cap torelieve pressure within the casing. Manuiacturing tolerances oftencaused imperfect positioning of the partsv within the casing or left aspace between the insulating cap which, under certain conditions of use,could become lled with wet mud and might then deliver a charge ofelectricity to an operator whose hand might come into contact with themud. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide aninsulating cap which will not only accommodate manufacturing :tolerancesand insure predetermined relative positioning of the parts of the tap,but will also insure against an operator receiving a shock when inContact with the guard.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feeder tap in whichcertain features incorporated in the construction are safeguarded frombecoming a source of danger to the one using the device at the time ofcontacting the live trolley wire.

Still another object is to provide a terminal for receiving and clampingthe stranded cable in a simple and efficient manner.

While reference is made to the use of the device with a stranded cable,it may be used with a solid conductor, but its-most common use is with astranded cable.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of myinvention, reference may be had to the following detailed description,and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal view in partial section of one form of feedertap embodying the .principal features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of one end of the invention showing in particular theguard member but omitting the hook shaped member in full.

Figs. 3 and 4 each show a side or edge AView of a quarter section of aguard rof modified construction.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view of a feeder tap, showing :stillanother guard embodying this invention.

Generally, a feeder tap of this invention-comprises a recessed handle ofinsulating material, a cable terminal inthe recess of the 4handle andnear one yend thereof, :a removable plug in the handle near the otherend, these two parts being formed to receive a fuse to electricallyconnect them together, and a guard formed of insulating material securedto the plug and having a flanged portion surrounding a part of thehandle. The cable terminal comprises in general a body having alongitudinally extending, transversely corrugated opening to receive anelectrical conductor and also having an aperture communicating with thisopening, and means comprising a member adjustably secured in theaperture of the body to extend into the opening and cooperate with thebody to grip and hold a connector in the opening and in electricalconnection to the body. The guard for the device has a disc portionhaving means to receive fastening means to attach the guard to a tap,and has a flanged portion projecting from the disc and forming with thedisc a cup-shaped recess in which the end of the feeder tap may bereceived.

The feeder tap shown in Fig. l comprises a handle i composed of aninsulating casing 2 of tubular formation, preferably of canvas or papertreated with a ycondensation product such as phenolaldehyde, or othersuitable plastic. The casing 2 is preferably lined with a thin layer 3of asbestos.

The casing r2 and lining 3 constitute the insulated handle E. The casingis internally threaded at each end as for instance at il and 5. Abushing E of insulating material is threaded into the cable receivingend of the casing and has a through opening 'i to receive the cable, andmay be made a Xed part of the casing as by the use of a cement.

The casing 2 is provided at the other end with an internally andexternally threaded sleeve 3 having its outer end ush with the end faceQ of the casing 2. The .threaded sleeve S cooperates with the threads.Il Aand is held permanently in place.

A metallic plug .it is screw-threaded into the sleeve 8 land projects asmall distance from the end Vface 9 of the casing 2. A guard li issecured to the end face of the plug il).

The guard t l is formed of insulating materials which may be formed of aresilient or elastic composition such as rubberor rubber susbtitutes orsynthetics or plastics. A hard composition is very apt to be broken dueto rough usage about a mine.

The guard Il is provided with a disc l2 and an nsertplate i3 of metalsecured to the guard at the time theguard is formed in a proper mold.The guard il is provided with two openings it which register withopenings i in the plate I3, for the reception of the screws iii, theheads of which are well concealed in the openings I4, and if desired theportion of the holes I4 not occupied by the screw heads may be iilledwith an insulating material, such as sealing wai; or a plastic, a commonpractice.

The guard disc i2 and plate I3 are positioned on a portion of the outerend face of the metal plug lil and secured thereto by the screws I5. Theprojection of the plug iii from the end face 5 of the casing 2 providesa clearance between the plate I3 and the end face of the handle thereeby assuring proper assembly will be secured with respect to the partswithin the handle i should the several parts comprising the interiormenibers of the handle be not machined exactly to specifications.

The guard II is provided with vent holes Il which extend longitudinallythrough the guard disc I2 and the plate i3 and which holes i'i registerwith similar holes il which extend longi tudinally through the plug Iiiand open into the interior recess it of the handle I.

The plug ifi is provided with a plurality of integral inwardlyprojecting and spaced resilient iingers i5 forming a socket Eil toreceive the metal end 2i of a fuse 22.

Within the recess iii at the cable end thereof is a cable terminal Si?,comprising a body portion 24 seated against the plug e and having aplurality of integral inwardly projecting and spaced resilient fingers25 forming a sociret EEE to receive the other metallicl end 2l of thefuse 22.

The cable terminal 23 is provided with. a central longitudinallyextending and elongated paasage 2S with one or more socket screwsextending into the passage 23 from the periphery of the body portion iiito engage and grip the cable conductor. The wall of the passage 28 ispreferably roughened or corrugated as by thread ing to better grip thecable and the screws should not project from the surface of the body 24when the cable is gripped.

When a cable is to be operatively connected with the present tap device,screws 29 are turned to withdraw them at least partially from passage 28to allow the cable to be introduced into that space. With the cable inplace in the passage, the screws are turned down until they tightlyclamp the cable against the opposite threaded wall portions of thepassage, thereby deforming the cable and substantially iilling a portionofthe passage in the vicinity of the screws. ln this position, thescrews tightly retain the cable in the passage in electrical contactwith the terminal until it is desired to disengage the cable andterminal, whereupon the screws may be adjusted again to withdraw thempartially from the passage, thereby releasing the cable.

The corrugations in the walls of passage 2t may, in some instances, beomitted, particularly when the cable to be used with the device, iscomprised of relatively small wires, some of which are apt to be injuredor severed by the corrugations.

The inner ends of the cable terminal 23 and oi the plug i0 are eachthreaded to receive threaded studs on the opposite ends of the fuseterminals 2I-2'I.

rihe plug is is also threaded to receive the threaded end of the hookshaped member 3i).

vReferring to .iT-ig. l, the space between the plate I3 and end face ilof the casing and designated 3I, assures the full insertion of the fuseends 2I-2'I in their respective sockets 2li-2:6.

The space Si however surrounds the plug ID which is electricallyconnected to the trolley wire when the hooia til engages the trolleywire. This means that if the space CtI is not protected or guarded insome manner, then damp coal dust and moisture may iill the space ESI andwill be charged and one holding the device may receive a shock if hishand should Contact the said lling in the space 3i, as the trolleycircuits are usually 50G-60G volts grounded.

To avoid such possibility, the guard II is provided with thecircumferential depending ange 32 surrounding the end portion of thehandle l in spaced relation thereto. While the annular space 33 connectswith the space 3| the ange 32 will tend to maintain the space 3!reasonably free of the said conducting deposit and give reasonablesecurity against shock.

This feature of my invention however, may be improved by providing a lip34 on the inner rim of the flange which will engage the side wall of thehandle and thus close the said annular space Si as shown in 3. In Fig. 4is shown another method by which this may be accomplished, namely, byeifecting contact between the ilange 32, or some part thereof, and thehandle I.

This contact is preferably made at the rim of the flange next t e handlesuch that the said annular space is not eliminated but is closed to theentrance of dust and dampness to the spaces 3l and 33.

In Fig. fi, the closure is accomplished at the inner rim of the :'lange32 next the face of the handle by sloping the wall 35 forming the spaceL23 until its peripheral edge 35 engages the surface of the handle.

The constructions shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are considered preferable toone eliminating entirely the space 33 as by contacting the length of theinner wall of the flange with the adjacent face of the handle as shownin Fig. 5.

If the portion i2 of the disc is formed of a hard insulating material,it is desirable to form the flange 32 of resilient or elastic insulatingmaterial formed as an integral part of the disc I2 in order that it mayhave slight yielding fit with the handle.

In order to replace the fuse 22 should the link 3l blow or to connect ordisconnect a cable from the terminal 223, the plug i!) is unscrewed fromthe bushing which permits removal of the fuse and 'terminal 23 which maycome out with the plug since all parts .screw connected together.

it will be noted that the assembled parts of this invention affordincreased venting capacity and part of the space provided foraccommodation of manufacturing tolerances also serve as part of theventing system. The spacing between plate iB and the adjacent end of thehandle I may serve to relieve internal pressure in the handle and alsoto insure predetermined posi tioning of the parts of the device in spiteof variation in dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances.

Since certain changes may be made in the above description and differentembodiment of the invention made without departing from the spiritthereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be consideredillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the present invention so that those skilled in theart maybe able to gain aesvgaao v a` betterunderstanding*andpractice-the same; I state that what IA desire toysecure by Letters Patent is defined; in what is claimed;

I-claim as my invention:

l. In a feeder tap comprising a recessed-handle of insulating materialand a cable terminal in the recess adjacent one end thereof with meansto receive a cable conductor and means to prevent displacement of` said4cable terminal in one direction anda metal plug atl the other end' ofthe recess and a fuse connecting the plug and terminal, the combinationwith the plug ofY a guard formed of'resilient insulating material andhaving a disc portion attached' to the outer end of the plug formovement with` the plug and a ilange projecting from the disc portionand-surrounding a portion of` thejhandle at `the said other end ofthelhandle, the; plug provided with means to receive other means connectableto a source of power.

2. In a feeder tap comprising a tubular handle of insulating materialwitha cable terminal in the handle recess adjacent one end-thereof'and ametal plug at the other end of the handle and removably attachedthereto, and an insulating bushing secured to the handle at said one endand a fuse insaid handle recess connecting the metal plug and terminal,the combination with the metaliplugof, a; guardformed of elasticinsulating material and havingra disc portion attached to the outer endof the plug for movement with theplug and disposed in` spaced relationto the adjacent endface ofthe handleand also having a flangeportionsurrounding a portion of the outer face of thehandle to protectthe space formed between the discV portion and the end face of thehandlefrom theentrance of foreign matter into said space, and .means toconnect the plug to asourceiof. power.

3. A feeder. tap comprising a tubular handle member formed or insulatingmaterial, a cable terminal at one end, aplug at the other end and a fuseconnecting.theterminal'and plug, the cable terminal comprising a bodymember provided with a longitudinal passage. to receive afcableconductor, the terminal also provided with a plurality of socket typescrews to engage and secure the conductor in the passage, the screwsbeing so proportioned they will not project outwardly from the surfaceof the body when gripping the cable conductor, the terminal also havinga recess at one end formed by a plurality of resilient fingers toreceive the other end of the fuse, the plug also provided with a memberconneetable to a source of power, a guard secured to the outer portionof the plug and provided with a plate spaced from the adjacent end faceof the handle and the guard provided with a projecting flangesurrounding a longitudinal portion of the side face of the handle but inspaced relation thereto, the rst said space and the second said spaceintersecting to form a continuous passage from the plug to the outerface of the said ange.

4. In a feeder tap comprising a tubular handle of insulating materialand terminal means within the handle to receive the conductor of a cableand other means at one end of the handle to connect the tap to a sourceof power, the combination with the last said means of a guard ofinsulating material secured to the tap at the live end thereof, theguard provided with a circular disc portion and an annular flangeportion projecting from the disc and forming a cup-shaped recess intowhich an end of the handle projects, the flange extending longitudinallyof a portion 6 of the handle and formingtherewith an annular' space,-andthe said terminal means and thesaid other means each provided-'withmeans toreceive conducting'means toelectrically-connect the-said means,the said other meansprovided :with means to receive means to engageasourceof-'-po\trer,` and the said terminal means comprising abodymember providedV with a longitudinal' passage vto receive a cableconductor, corrugations in the walls of the passage and aplurality'ofvsocket-type screws to engage and secure the conductortv inthe passage.

5. A feeder'tap as'described-in'claimi characterized by the guard beingformedA ofan elastic insulating material and the rimof said flangeprovided with means to engage-theadjacentfsurface of the handle toprevent entranceofl'dirt and moisture to said annular space.

6. A feeder tap comprising, a tubular' handle formed of insulatingmaterial, a cable terminal at one end and a removable plug at theV otherend, the plug andthe terminal each provided with means to receivefusible means to electrically connect the plug andterminal, meansconnected to the plug to connect tok a sourceof power. the terminalprovided with a longitudinal passage to receive the conductor of 'acable andthe terminal also provided with screw threaded means to engagethe conductor, the plug projecting from the adjacent end face of "thehandle anda guard secured to the projecting portion of the plug formovement with the plug, the guard.' formed of insulating material witha, disc, portion in spaced relation to the saidendface of/thehan.- dleand a projecting flange portion extending along the side wall ofthevhandle` inspacedlrelation thereto, the spaces formedby the. guardandthe handle intersecting and the. ysaidflangeoffer-,- ing protection tothe` space formed by the guard disc and adjacent end face of thehandle.-

7. In a feeder tap. comprising,l a recessed handle formed of insulatingmaterial adapted to receive a fuse and acableterminal in the recess toreceive a cable conductorA andmeans to prevent displacement .of theterminalinone direction, and a metal member at the other end of thehandle, the cable terminal and the metal member each provided with meansadapted to receive an end of a fuse whereby the member and the terminalmay be electrically connected, the combination with the said metalmember of a guard formed of elastic insulating material, the guardhaving a disc portion and also a projecting flange surrounding anadjacent longitudinal portion of the handle in spaced relation to thesaid handle, and means at the free inner edge of the flange to engagethe handle to prevent access of foreign matter to the space between thehandle and flange.

8. In a feeder tap comprising a recessed handle formed of insulatingmaterial, and fuse holding means in said handle, the combination of aterminal in said handle for electrical connection to a source of powerand comprising a cylindrical body having a longitudinally extending,transversely corrugated opening to receive an electrical conductor andan aperture communicating with said opening, and means comprising amember adjustably secured in said aperture to extend into said openingand cooperate with the body and to grip and hold the conductor in saidopening in electrically conducting relation to the body.

9. In a feeder tap comprising a recessed handle formed of insulatingmaterial, and fuse holding means in said handle, the combination of aterminal in said handle for electrical connection to a source of powerand comprising a cylindrical body having a longitudinally extending,generally cylindrical, transversely corrugated opening to receive anelectrical conductor and a screwthreaded aperture communicating withsaid opening, and sc1'ewthreaded means to be screwed into said apertureand to extend into said opening and cooperate with the body to grip andhold the conductor in said opening in electrically conducting relationto the body.

10. A feeder tap comprising an insulating casing, a fuse in the casing,a cable terminal in the casing and engaging one end of said fuse, aninsulating bushing secured in the end of said casing and engageable withsaid terminal, a plug screw-threaded in the other end of the casing,engaging the other end of said fuse and having means to engage with asource of power, and an insulating guard attached to the outer end ofsaid plug and having a cup-shaped recess into which the adjacent end ofsaid casing projects, said recess having inner end and inner side wallsspaced from the outer end surface and outer side surface of said casing.

11. A feeder tap comprising an insulating casing, a fuse in the casing,said fuse having threaded studs projecting axially from opposite endsthereof, a cable terminal in the casing and having an axial threadedopening to receive the adjacent stud of the fuse, an insulating bushingsecured in the end of said casing and engageable with said terminal, aplug screw-threaded in the other end of the casing and having an axialthreaded opening to receive the other said stud of said fuse and havingmeans to engage with a source of power, and an insulating guard attachedto the outer end of said plug and having a cup-shaped recess into whichthe adjacent end of said casing projects, said recess having inner endand inner side walls spaced from the outer end surface and outer sidesurface of said casing.

12. A feeder tap comprising an insulating casing including a tube and aliner therefor, an insulating bushing screw-threaded in one end of thetube and engaging the adjacent end of the liner, a sleeve secured in theother end of the tube and engaging the end of the liner adjacentthereto. a fuse assembly in said casing and including a cable terminalengaging the said insulating bushing, a plug screw-threaded in saidsleeve and a fuse connecting said terminal and plug, said plug havingvent holes extending therethrough, and an insulating guard attached tothe outer end of said plug and having a cup-shaped recess into which theadjacent end of said casing projects, said recess having end and sidewalls spaced from the end surface and outer side surface of said casingand communicating with the interior of the casing through said ventholes.

13. A feeder tap comprising an insulating casing, a cable terminal inthe casing, a sleeve screwthreaded in one end of the casing and a powersource engaging plug screw-threaded in said sleeve, a fuse havingfrictional and screwthreaded engagement with said terminal and plug, andan insulating guard engaging the outer end of said plug, and spaced fromthe ends of said sleeve and casing, said guard having a cupshaped recessto receive the adjacent end of said casing and having an innercylindrical side Wall spaced from the outer side of the casing.

EDWARD P. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,594,925 Chandler Aug. 3, 1926 1,654,475 Wyman Dec. 27, 19271,679,142 Wyman July 3l, 1928 1,922,883 Chandler Sept. 15, 19311,929,920 Fullman Oct. 10, 1933 2,037,630 Hudson Apr. 14, 1936 2,068,152Rowe Jan. 19, 1937 2,083,923 Rowe June l5, 1937 2,288,680 Chandler July7, 1942 2,313,333 Center Mar. 9, 1943 2,419,152 Mosebach Apr. 15, 19472,436,712 Burrell Feb. 24, 1948 2,625,579 Frazee Jan. 13, 1953

